>The story I was told he left a message (not sure text or written yet) was depressed suicidal basically and was going to go out surfing and not come back.
The guy was probably dead or incapacitated by then, If he had zero signs of depression beforehand, and then leaves a message that he'll go surfing/suicidal/never come back, then 100% he was not in charge of his phone, especially since his last cell phone ping was in Joshua Tree, far far away from the nearest beach.
If I were in your position, I would
>Clarify it were a text or voice message that announced the "suicide".
>Go to AT&T and ask for whatever cell phones were pinging as with his cell phone until the no-service area (they sell those records, don't even need a Warrant).
>Check to see his latest Will, if any, and who is the beneficiary.
>Same for any life insurance policy.
>Check the social media of both the wife and friend. I'd bet they posted way too much information onto plebbit.
>Check Meta last login/GPS vs. phone's last pings.
>Check neighbors to see if any craziness in the neighborhood lately.
>Any weird vehicles scouting his truck at odd hours?
>Anything interesting from his co-workers?
>Can you get any data from the apps on his phone, Warrant or not? Logins/respective GPS?
>Is his laptop/computer/tablet missing?
>Check Wells Fargo (or whatever bank he has) to see when he last logged into online banking.
>Have any of his cards been used since?
>Who benefits from his death, and why?
>Is there a greater payout on his life insurance policy for disappearing vs. murder vs. suicide?
>If his wife's family is Cali money (they can pay for private helicopter searches for God's sake!), then chances are they're connected to the Gettys/Newsomes/Feinsteins/Pelosis/etc. Did he see something he wasn't supposed to see or know?
>The last known week of his life: what cell phones pinged and stayed around his? Any consistencies?
>Any recent DMV/smog events on the truck?
One more thing:
> 2003 Black Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 larger tires with a lift with Nice light weight camper topper has a pop top roof type setup
I live well north of L.A., and we have tons of trucks like this. Family in Cali used to run a shop that lifted trucks for people. Lifted trucks are a Cali thing, regardless of whether or not they'll actually be used for mountain driving. That description is super general and a license plate and/or photo would be needed to look for it. If this family is behind it, then I'd bet that it's either at a chop shop, or on its way to one in Mexico or out of state.
You sound like a cop, so you probably have better ideas than I do. I hope that, at least, I gave you a couple ideas to work with. God be with you and the missing anon.